Author: Rich Gorecki

This next lesson from The MANual, my NIV version of the Bible, is titled “Review and Regrets” It comes from Chronicles, which are considered supplementary to the books of Samuel and Kings since they are the sources for the historical review. Similar to my prior posts on Samuel and Kings, the lessons from Chronicles come from two books. The difference is that 1 and 2 Chronicles include a genealogy of the people of Israel. The similarity is it includes tales of their sordid history with evil kings. The Chronicler First Chronicles and Second Chronicles are presumed from Ezra, a scribe who became a priest that lived among the people exiled into captivity in Babylon. Its writer, or Chronicler, teaches the people of Israel that genuine worship of God must remain the center of their individual lives in order to unify as a nation.  Ezra wrote in approximately 430 B.C. to

There are many lessons from the prophets and wicked rulers in the books of Kings. Learn to “show yourself a man,” a godly man in this God Buddy post.

The next section in The MANual, my NIV Bible for Men is titled “A Nation’s Rise and Fall” and covers the books from 1 Samuel to 2 Kings. This lesson comes from two books: 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. The next lesson will cover the other two books: 1 Kings and 2 Kings. From Judges to a King The setting for the books of Samuel is when the nation of Israel went from being led by God to being led by a human king. First Samuel begins during the closing years of Samson’s life (see those lessons in my post on the book of Judges). Samuel was one of Israel’s last judges and the first priest and prophet to serve during the reign of King David (1050-970 B.C.). Samuel was the son of a high priest, Elkanah, and his wife, Hannah, who was known for her fervent praying. Hannah dedicated Samuel